The Edmonton Oilers are back in their pre-Christmas break form.
On Tuesday evening, the Oilers headed to Boston to face the Bruins for the second time this season. The first game back in Edmonton saw the Oilers overcome a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in overtime. This time, the Oilers were able to win 4-0. About six and a half minutes into the first period, when Corey Perry made a terrific pass from behind the net to the slot for Adam Henrique, who made no mistake scoring his fourth of the season.
Perry’s influence was all over the game, even on goals he didn’t get a point on. Midway through the second period, he baited Trent Frederic into a rough penalty before dropping the mitts. Not too shabby for a 39-year-old.
On the ensuing power play, Stuart Skinner made a save on one end on the breakaway, before Connor McDavid had his own breakaway and made no mistake for his 16th goal of the season. This was only his second goal over his last 12 games and he broke a two-game pointless streak.
Henrique scored his second of the game late in the second period, as Skinner made a nice net front pass from behind the net. It was a very similar goal to the opening goal of the game.
Viktor Arvidsson iced it with an empty net goal, extending the Oilers’ winning streak to four games. Good to see him getting going.
Takeaways…
Leon Draisaitl’s point streak unfortunately came to an end at 14 games. It was still an overall good game for him and his line, with Arvidsson icing the game with an empty net goal.
For the third consecutive game, Jeff Skinner picked up a point. It seems like he got the message loud and clear when the Oilers sat him on New Year’s Eve as he’s responded with one goal and two assists in those three games.
It also helps that the Oilers’ new-look third line looks really good. Skinner has been playing alongside Zach Hyman and Adam Henrique and that line has shown instant chemistry. It also has balanced out the scoring in the lineup. Just wait until Evander Kane returns.
The Oilers return to action on Thursday, as they’ll hop on a plane and head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins for the second time this season. The first matchup was the other time Skinner had a shutout as the Oilers won 4-0 in Edmonton.
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